He switched her hand from one to the other and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. "If you don't want to, you don't have to," he told her. "You have friends who don't want to see you hurt. I don't want to see you hurt." He gave her a little smile.
He should have been there, he thought. He wouldn't fail her again. She wouldn't have to be afraid, and he would protect her. He couldn't let himself fall apart again.